The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-06-10
THE WITCH'S HEAD.
By II. RIDER HAGGARD.
CHAPTER /.
EENEST'S APPEARANCE.

black hair that curled over his head and the
unmistakable air of breeding that marks
Englishmen of good race.
Ills uncle let his wandering glance stray
round him, but, wandering as it was, it
seemed to take him in from top to toe. Pres
emily he spoke again:
'I like you, boy"
Ernest said nothing.
"Let me see-your second name is Beyton.
L am glad they called you Beyton; it was
your grandmother's maiden name and good
Old name, too. Ernest Beyton Kershaw
by the way, have you ever seen anything of
your other uncle, Sir Hugh Kershawin
The boys cheek flushed.
"No, have not; and never wish tor he
| answered.
"Why notp
because when my mother wrote to him
before she died'--and here the lads voice
| choked-"just after the bank broke and she
| lost all her money, he wrote back and said
that because his brother-l mean my father
had made low marriage, that was no
reason why he should support his child and
widow; but he sent her Is to go on with She
sent it back"
THAT was like your mother, she always
had high spirit. He must be a cur, and he
does not speak the truth. Your mother
comes of a better stock than the Kershaws.
The Carduses are one Of the Oldest families
in the eastern counties. Why, boy, our
family lived down in the Fens by Lynn there
for centuries, until your grandfather, poor,
weak man, got involved in his great lawsuit
and ruined us all. There, there, it has all
gone into the law, but it is coming back it is
coming back fast. This Sir Hugh has only
one son, by the way Do you know that if
nnvthinr han anal 10, ~ 4.
next in the entaill-at any rate you would
| get the baronetcy"
81 don't want his baronetcy," said Ernest,
sulkily; "I will have nothing of his"
"A title, boy, is an incorporeal heredita-
| ment, for which the holder Is indebted to no
| body. 1t does not descend to him, it vests In
him. But, tell me, how long was this before
| your mother died-that he sent the f5,
meanl'
"About three months"
Mr.. Cardus hesitated little before he
spoke again, tapping his white fingers nerv-
ously on the table.
~ hope my sister was not in want, Ernestp
he said jerkily.
1For a fortnight before she died we had
scarcely enough to eat" was the reply.
Mr.. Cardus turned himself to the window,
and for minute the light Of the dull De-
cember day osbone and glistened upon his
brow and head, which was perfectly bald.
Then before he spoke he drew himself back
into the shadow, perhaps to hide something
like tear that shone in his soft, black eyes.
"And why did she not appeal to met
could have helped herr
"She said that when you quarreled with
/ her about her marrying my father, you told
her never to write or speak to you again, and
| that she never wouldn
"Then why did you not do it, boyl You
| knew how things were"
because we had begged once, and would
not beg again"
"Ah, muttered Mr.. Cardus, "the old spirit
cropping up. Poor Rose, nearly starving,
and dying too, and l with so much which
do not want! Oh, boy, boyl when you are
man never set up an idol for it frightens good
spirits away. Nothing else can live in its
temple; it is place where all other things
are forgotten--duty and the claims of blood
and sometimes those of honor, too Look
now, have my idol, and it has made me
forget my sister and your mother. Had she
not written at last, when she was dying,
should have forgotten you, too"
The boy looked puzzled.
"An idol"
EYES," went on his uncle, i'm his dreamy
way, "an idol Many people have them :;
they keep them in the cupboard with their
family skeleton; sometimes the two are iden-
tical. And they call them by many names
too; frequently it is a woman's name; some
times that of passion sometimes that of a
vice, but a virtues not often"
sand what is the name of yours, unclel"
asked the wondering boy
"Minel-oh, never mind"
At this moment a swing door in the side Of
the room was opened, and a tall, bony woman,
with beady eyes, came through.
"Mr. de Tailor, to See you, sir, in the office" I"
Mr.. Cardus whistlCd softly "Ah," he said
"tell him am coming By the way, Grice,
this young gentleman has come to live here;
his room is ready, is it notf'
"Yes, sir; Miss Dorothy has been seeing to
It."
"Good; where is Miss Dorothyl"
"She has walked into Kesterwick, sir"
"Oh, and Master Jeremyr
"He is about sir; saw him pass with a
ferret a while back"
"Tel Sampson or the groom to find him
and send him to Master Ernest here. That
will do thank you. Now, Ernest, must be
Off l hope that you will be pretty happy
here, my boy, when your trouble has worn off
bit. You will have Jeremy for a compan-
ion; he is lout, and an unpleasant lout it is
true, but suppose that lie is better than
nobody. And then there is Dorothy"-and
his voice softened as he uttered her name
shut she is a girl"
"Who are Dorothy and Jeremya" broke in
his nephew; "are they your childrenr
Mr. Cardus started perceptibly, and his
thick, white eyebrows contracted over his
dark eyes till they almost met.
"Children" he said, sharply; II have no
children. They are my wards. Their name
| Is Jones'-and he left the room.
"Well, he is rum Sort" reflected Ernest to
himself, "and don't think ever saw such a
shiny head before. l wonder if he oils iti
But at any rate, he is kind to me- Perhaps
| it would have been better if mother had
written to him before. She might have gone
on living, then"
Rubbing his hand across his face to clear
away the water gathering in his eyes at the
thought of his dead mother, Ernest made his
way to the wide fireplace at the top end of
the room, peeped into the ancient inglenooks
OH each side and at the old Dutch tiles with
which it was lined and then, lifting up his coat
after grown up fashion, proceeded TO warm
himself and inspect his surroundings. 1t was
curious room in which he stood, and its
leading feature was old oak paneling. All
down its considerable length the walls were
oak clad to the low ceiling, which was sup
ported by enormous beams of the same ma
terial; the shutters Of the narrow windows,
which looked out on the sea, were oak, and
| SO were the doors and the table, and even the
mantel shelf. The general idea given by the
display of SO much timber was certainly one
Of solidity, but it could scarcely be called
Cheerlul-not even the numerous suits of
armor and shining weapons which were
placed about upon the walls could make it
uiat. 1t was a remarkable room, but its
effect upon the observer was undoubtedly de-
pressing
Just as Ernest was beginning 10 realize this
fact, things were made more lively by the
sudden appearance through the swing door of
a large, savage looking bull terrier, which
began to steer for the fireplace, where it was
evidently accustomed to lie. On seeing
Ernest it stopped and shifted.
"Hullo, good dogl" said Ernest.
The dog growled and showed its teeth.
Ernest put out his leg toward II as a caution
TO keep off. acknowledged the compliment
by sending its teeth through his trousers.
Then the lad, growing wroth, and being not
free from fear, seized the poker and hit the
dog over the head so shrewdly that the blood
streamed from the blow, and the brute, losing
! his grip, turned and fed bowling.
While Ernest was yet warm with the glow
OF victory, the door once more swung open,
violently this time, and through 1t there
camo boy of about his own age a dirty,
deep chested boy, with uncut hair, and slow,